Much Ado About Nothing

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Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Happy Epiphany

At our home Epiphany not only marks the end of Christmastide, but the season of king cake. King cake was one of those happy memories from our newlywed year in Shreveport. We ususally make a few batches per season. We are a bit behind this year with our first batch (although it was a double) baked during the fourth week after Epiphany. Our two oldest kids helped with decorating all eight cakes.

For a fun history of king cake, check out this link:

http://whatscookingamerica.net/Bread/KingCake.htm

My recipe (from native Lousianan Ginger Rogers) is different than the one on the site, but I'm sure it is good, too.

Wednesday, January 04, 2006

Hymn 311

This is one of my (and my kids) favorite hymns for children. It is actually a poem by Cecil Frances Alexander. Our 1940 Episcopal Hymnal only includes three of the stanzas, plus the chorus, which is the first stanza of the poem. I found two more stanzas while purusing my latest treasure from our local Hospice Thrift Store: The New Junior Classics volume ten, poetry (1949).

Here are the two extra:

The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
God made them, high or lowly,
And order'd their estate.


The tall trees in the greenwood,
the meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water
We gather every day.

Sunday, January 01, 2006

Circumcision of Christ Eve Party

Otherwise known as New Year's Eve Party. This was our third annual party with an Indian Food theme. It all started from a gift of a cookbook, Easy Indian-style cookery, from a friend, Todd. We enjoy cooking but love eating food. Indian does seem to take so much work that we end up doing it only once a year. Thanks to all who came and those who helped, but especially to the Gannons. They hand chopped a ten pound bag of onions!

Menu

Cucumber & Mint Raita
Mixed Vegetable Curry
Tandoori Leg of Lamb (on the Fix it & Forget it)
Tandoori chicken grilled on the LARGE George Foreman Grill
Mango Chicken
Caramelised Onion, Fruit & Nut Pilau
Naan (no smoke alarm this year!)

We try to repeat our most popular dishes (the mango chicken, pilau, and naan) and try a new one (tandoori leg of lamb) each year. Next year, we would like to dry another new dessert, like kulfi, and maybe a special drink.